James Dorton, the powerful vocalist of American progressive death metal band Black Crown Initiate, has captured the attention of fans with their 2020 album, Violent Portraits of Doomed Escape. The Surge Turkey team had the exclusive opportunity to interview James Dorton, discussing the rise of Black Crown Initiate in the progressive and technical death metal scene. Enjoy the exclusive insights from James Dorton in this must-read interview!

First of all, I’ll start with an inescapable question for bands. Could you briefly talk about how you came together and how the band was formed? 

Sure! We had all played in different local bands in the Pennsylvania/Delaware area of the US, and we eventually came to each play in a band called Nightfire, at varying times. BCI formed from wanting to go in a different direction creatively from that band. 

I want to ask how the Covid19 process is going for you and your bandmates. Was this quarantine useful for you and your music as long?

It’s tough to say that the pandemic was useful to any musician in and of itself. I think we felt some of the burnout and discouragement that many feel, and it certainly slowed progress. However a lot of lessons can be learned in times like these, and it shows you who is willing to stick it out no matter what. It’s crucial to look for opportunity in hard times. They are assured. 

Your album coincided with the Covid process. You probably wouldn’t imagine this to happen when you started the album. How are your feelings after the album? If everything went well, what were you aiming to do after the album was released?

Oh yes. We wanted to tour, but couldn’t. We love VPODE and we put so much love into that record, and not being able to promote it.. That was a real kick in the teeth for sure. 

Can you tell us about the pre and post quarantine album process? 

Before VPODE, we weren’t sure we were still going to be a band. In 2016 the band nearly broke up. But after a few years, we felt the pull to start writing again, so we did, without knowing what would come of it. So we put it all on the line, like we did in the beginning. Now, there’s nothing to do but write even more, and try to prepare for touring to happen again.

What is your fav song from the album “Violent Portraits of Doomed Escape”? Why?

Invitation, Son of War and Sun of War, because they affect me the most emotionally. 

Considering all your releases, which one was the most challenging for you in terms of recording and creativity?

Wreckage of Stars. We had a very limited time to make that album happen. We pieced it together very quickly indeed. 

As far as I know, you and your bandmates are also members of other bands. How do you keep up with all of them?

Many of these projects came on during the slow years for BCI, so there was more time in the schedule to fill. As the world reopens, the schedule will be tighter; but it will sort itself out. I am in a very ambitious orchestral metal band called DiAmorte, as well as a Dillinger-esque metal band called Replacire. Andy is in Antiqva, which is like a chamber music metal band. New music is on the way for each of these so definitely keep your ear to the ground!

How much of your day is spent producing music or playing?

I usually rehearse for 2 hours a day. The rest of my time is usually spent either at a gym or on my other career endeavor(s), acting and voiceover. 

How and when did you decide to enter this industry? What was your biggest inspirations?

My first band was called Scarred Horizon, which I joined in high school – 2001, in a rural town called Harrah, Oklahoma. This was with a very good friend of mine named Keeno Laws-Rodriguez, who is still one of my best friends ever, and has an incredibly killer band now called Dischordia. Ever since then I knew I just wanted to keep doing it, and to just see where it would lead. 

Check out Dischordia here:https://dischordia.bandcamp.com/?fbclid=IwAR1XUKaVVfapAM5nbyAGYNvRDZ1pFrDXzG2k7zhmNEPkN51vBMVUl1DxyjM

Inspirations: After much self psycho-analysis, I’ve discovered I became an extreme metal frontman because, as a kid, I subconsciously wanted to be Godzilla when I grew up. And now I am.

What are your objectives in short/long term? 

Get back out on the road and keep climbing! 

Are there any musicians that you always listen to? Can you tell us about your fav musicians or albums of recent years?

My first metal band was Rammstein in 1997, and I still love them and everything they do. I actively listen to music and I’m always looking for bands that I think are really special, so there are many. I’ll list a few:

Ulsect – Self titled
Slugdge – Esoteric Malacology
Ihsahn – Ámr
Numenorean – Adore
Greg Puciato – Child Soldier, Creator of God
The Ocean – Phanerozoic I & II
Kyros – Celexa Dreams
Exist – Egoiista
Yashira – Fail to Be
Nug – Alter Ego

To name a few.

Is there a song that you say “I wish I was the one who wrote this song”?

Pretty much anything off that newest Greg Puciato. 

I also want to talk about concerts. Which was the the most special concert you’ve ever given, what makes it special? (can be emotions you have experienced, number of audience, people singing your songs by heart)

Euroblast 2016. By far the largest crowd and highest energy crowd we’ve had. Sold out show in London with Rivers of Nihil 2019 was amazing too.

Which country would you like to tour in?

I love playing in Germany. I would also love to go to Japan, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, Israel.

What are your thoughts about giving a concert in Turkey? 

I absolutely love the idea. Turkey seems so beautiful and I love how the language sounds. I was a student of history in University and loved reading about Istanbul.

What is the best advice you have received from a musician so far? And what is the biggest advice you can give to music lovers and musicians?

1. You aren’t so good that you can’t be better. 2. Be yourself, not an amalgamation of your idols. 

Finally, is there something you want to say to your audience in Turkey?

We appreciate your support! I hope we get to meet one day in person!

Click here to read the interview in Turkish.